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Scene 8

THE LABYRINTH UNDERGROUND

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(Meanwhile, down below, we CUT to WIDESHOT of the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE in the boat, crossing the underground lake.)

PHANTOM (furiously propelling the boat onwards.)

Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair!

Down we plunge to the prison of my mind!

Down that path into darkness deep as hell!  

(CUT to: CHRISTINE seen from below left from the PHANTOM’S shoulder.  He rounds on her, bitterly.)  

Why, you ask, was I bound and chained in this cold and dismal place?

Not for any mortal sin, but the  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM at CLOSE-UP front) 

wickedness of my abhorrent face!  

(MONTAGE of shots showing the chaos in the opera house. SOLDIERS and STAGEHANDS are rushing down corridors, up and down staircases.)  

CHORUS

Track down this murderer! He must be found! 

(CUT to: the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE at front WIDESHOT) 

PHANTOM

Hounded out by everyone! 

(CUT to: CLOSE-UP of PHANTOM in profile where his deformed face is seen.)

Met with hatred everywhere! No kind words from anyone! No compassion anywhere!  

(CUT to: WIDESHOT of CHRISTINE and PHANTOM at side view) 

Christine, Christine . . . Why, why . . .?  

(CUT to: RAOUL and MME. GIRY at a distance) (RAOUL and MME GIRY are making their way down the dark corridors. [Have them walk up to the camera] They follow the staircase down past the stables. A pack of rats slithers over their feet. The rats and the RATCATCHER pass them. [CUT to: the pack of rats and RATCATCHER] [CUT to: RAOUL and MME. GIRY at CLOSE-UP] GIRY raises her hand again.)  

GIRY

Your hand at the level of your eyes!  

RAOUL

. . . at the level of your eyes . . .  

VOICES

Your hand at the level of your eyes!  

[CUT to: MME. GIRY seen over RAOUL’S shoulder.] 

GIRY

He lives across the lake, monsieur. This is as far as I dare go.  

[CUT to: WIDESHOT of RAOUL and MME. GIRY]

RAOUL

Madame Giry, thank you.  

(She turns to go back up the slope. [CUT to: MME. GIRY leaving, then CUT to RAOUL] RAOUL looks at the water. [CUT to: water seen from RAOUL’S POV, then CUT to: RAOUL seen from below, then CUT to: WIDESHOT of RAOUL] He removes his coat and vest and plunges in. MONTAGE of shots showing the chaos still reigning in the opera house. SOLDIERS rush through the backstage areas past panicking DANCERS and SINGERS.)  

MOB

Track down this murderer - He must be found! Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground!

Too long he's preyed on us - but now we know:

The Phantom of the Opera is there deep down below . . .

He's here: the Phantom of the Opera . . .  

(They turn back up the slope. Perhaps there is another way in. FADE to next scene.)

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Scene 9

BEYOND THE LAKE

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(CUT to: WIDESHOT of CHRISTINE and the PHANTOM. CHRISTINE rounds fiercely on the PHANTOM. [CUT to: CHRISTINE seen from the PHANTOM’S POV] She pulls off the costume from DON JUAN. Braving her terror, she addresses him fiercely).  

CHRISTINE

Have you gorged yourself at last, in your lust for blood?  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM. No reply from him. CUT to: CHRISTINE) 

Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM seen at WIDESHOT) 

PHANTOM (Coldly)

That fate, which condemns me to wallow in blood, has also denied me the joys of the flesh . . .

This face - the infection which poisons our love . . .  

(Move camera when the PHANTOM goes to the dummy and takes the bridal veil. PHANTOM takes the bridal veil from the dummy, and [zoom in slowly] moves slowIy towards her.)

This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing . . .

A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing . . .  

(CUT to: CLOSE-UP of the PHANTOM seen from back.  He places the veil on her head.)  

Pity comes too late - turn around and face your fate: an eternity of this before your eyes!  

(CUT to: back of CHRISTINE seen from right.) (CHRISTINE rips the veil from her head and throws it to the ground. [Pull back to see CHRISTINE] She then proceeds to tear the canvas covers off the mirrors surrounding them, revealing hundreds of reflections of her and the PHANTOM. CUT to: CHRISTINE seeing the PHANTOM in the mirror.  The PHANTOM’s face should be near CHRISTINE’s.) 

CHRISTINE

This haunted face holds no horror for me now . . .

It's in your soul that the true distortion lies . . .  

(A stunned silence. [CUT to: curtains at WIDESHOT] Meanwhile, the curtains which hide the portcullis have parted to reveal RAOUL behind, knee deep in water. [CUT to the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE at WIDESHOT seen from left of screen] The PHANTOM turns:)  

PHANTOM

Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest!    

CHRISTINE (Seeing RAOUL, stunned.  She rushes over to the portcullis.)

Raoul!  

PHANTOM (to RAOUL, with a mock courteous bow.)

Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight! I had rather hoped that you would come.

And now my wish comes true - you have truly made my night!  

RAOUL (pleading, grasping the bars of the gate.)

Free her! Do what you will only free her! Have you no pity?  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE seen from RAOUL’S POV) 

PHANTOM (to CHRISTINE, dryly)

Your lover makes a passionate plea!  

CHRISTINE

Please, Raoul, it's useless . . .  

(CUT to: RAOUL from the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE’S POV) 

RAOUL

I love her! Does that mean nothing? I love her! Show some compassion . . .  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM) 

PHANTOM (snarls furiously at RAOUL)

The world showed no compassion to me!  

(CUT to: RAOUL) 

RAOUL

Christine . . . Christine . . .

(To PHANTOM)

Let me see her . . .  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM)

PHANTOM (dryly)

Be my guest, sir . . . 

(CUT to: WIDESHOT of the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE. The PHANTOM pulls a lever and the portcullis rises enough to allow RAOUL to stagger in. CUT to: RAOUL, looking a bit reluctant, feeling something bad may happen. CHRISTINE backs away from the portcullis as it rises up. She immediately embraces RAOUL, then he lets go to confront the PHANTOM. ) 

Monsieur, I bid you welcome! Did you think that I would harm her? 

(CUT to: CLOSE-UP of RAOUL and the PHANTOM who is seen with his back at the right.) 

Why should I make her pay for the sins which are yours?  

(Like lightning, the Punjab Lasso cracks through the air and, before RAOUL has a chance to move, catches him by the neck. (CUT to: RAOUL at CLOSE-UP) He is jerked high into the air and down onto a stool. All the PHANTOM has to do is kick the stool away. CUT to: the PHANTOM seen at an above angle, over RAOUL’S shoulder.) 

(taunting)

Order your fine horses now! Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes!

Nothing can save you now - except perhaps Christine . . .  

(He turns to her and [CUT to: the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE at CLOSE-UP] thrusts the veil and wedding gown into her hands.)  

Start a new life with me - Buy his freedom with your love!

Refuse me, and

(CUT to: RAOUL from waist-up)

you send your lover to his death! 

(CUT to: the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE)

This is the choice - This is the point of no return!  

(CUT to: CLOSE-UP of CHRISTINE) 

CHRISTINE (to the PHANTOM)

The tears I might have shed for your dark fate grow cold, and turn to tears of hate . . .  

( [CUT to: RAOUL seen from CHRISTINE’S POV. When she puts on the veil, have the veil cover the camera] Looking at RAOUL, she places the veil on her head and [CUT to: CHRISTINE, then CUT quickly to: the PHANTOM, then CUT quickly to: RAOUL, ALL THREE at CLOSE-UP] begins putting on the wedding gown. [CUT to: CLOSE-UP of ALL THREE in one frame] ALL THREE pause for a moment. [CUT to: RAOUL at CLOSE-UP] RAOUL breaks the moment with:)  

RAOUL (despairing)

Christine, forgive me please forgive me . . . I did it all for you, and all for nothing . . .  

(CUT to: CHRISTINE from back except her face can almost be seen and the PHANTOM) 

CHRISTINE (looking at the PHANTOM but to herself.)

Farewell my fallen idol and false friend . . .  

PHANTOM

Too late for turning back, Too late for prayers and useless pity...  

CHRISTINE

One by one I've watched illusions shattered . . .  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM and RAOUL) 

PHANTOM

Past all hope of cries for help: no point in fighting -  

RAOUL

Either way you choose, he has to win . . .  

PHANTOM

For either way you choose, you cannot win!  

(The PHANTOM comes up to CHRISTINE.) 

So, do you spend your days with me, or do you send him to his grave?  

(RAOUL is seen in the background.)  

RAOUL (to PHANTOM)

Why make her lie to you to save me?  

(CUT to: CHRISTINE)

CHRISTINE

Angel of Music . . .  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM)

PHANTOM

Past the point of no return -  

(CUT to: RAOUL)

RAOUL

For pity's sake, Christine, say no!  

(CUT to: CHRISTINE and the PHANTOM seen from RAOUL’S POV) 

CHRISTINE

. . . why this torment?  

PHANTOM

. . . the final threshold . . .  

RAOUL

Don't throw your life away for my sake . . .  

CHRISTINE

When will you see reason . . .?  

PHANTOM

His life is now the prize which you must earn!  

(CUT to: the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE seen from below while RAOUL is seen at a distance.) 

RAOUL

I fought so hard to free you . . .  

(CUT to: WIDESHOT of the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE) 

CHRISTINE

Angel of Music . . .  

PHANTOM

You've passed the point of no return . . .  

CHRISTINE

. . . you deceived me - I gave my mind blindly . . .  

(A pause. [CUT to: CLOSE-UP of the PHANTOM] The PHANTOM looks coldly at CHRISTINE. [CUT to: CHRISTINE] She is now standing in her wedding gown.) (CUT to: the PHANTOM seen from CHRISTINE’S shoulder.) 

PHANTOM (to CHRISTINE)

You try my patience - make your choice!  

(The PHANTOM turns his back to CHRISTINE. [CUT to: CHRISTINE seen from left screen] She reflects for a moment, then with resolution moves slowly towards the PHANTOM.)  

CHRISTINE (quietly at first, then with growing emotion.)

Pitiful creature of darkness . . . What kind of life have you known . . .?  

(CUT to: back of CHRISTINE seen from screen right, where the back of the PHANTOM is seen.) 

God give me courage to show you (CUT to: WIDESHOT of CHRISTINE and the PHANTOM)

 you are not alone . . .  

(She calmly puts the ring on her finger and kisses him full on the lips. [CUT to: CLOSE-UP of the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE seen from her shoulder] [CUT to: CHRISTINE seen from the PHANTOM’S POV] She pulls away, tears streaming down her cheeks. The PHANTOM is stunned. [CUT to: the PHANTOM seen from CHRISTINE’S POV] [CUT to: WIDESHOT of the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE] Then, she leans towards him and embraces him again. But this time the kiss is long and deep. A lover's kiss. The PHANTOM’S hands would be shaking at this point. As it ends, they look straight into each other's eyes. [CUT between CHRISTINE’S POV of the PHANTOM and vice versa] The PHANTOM is crying, devastated. [CUT to: the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE at WIDESHOT, with CHRISTINE’S back to the camera at screen right] Suddenly, he moves. [Move camera when the PHANTOM walks to RAOUL] The rope suspending RAOUL falls harmlessly to the ground. ( [CUT to: MEG and the MOB at straight distance] MEG is leading the MOB down into the PHANTOM's lair. They are carrying wooden lighted torches. Is this Frankenstein? They are getting closer and closer.)  

MOB

Track down this murderer - he must be found! 

(CUT between: the PHANTOM, RAOUL, and CHRISTINE and MEG and the MOB.  For shots of MEG and the MOB, view in side angles, low and high angles.) 

Some: Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground!  

Too long he's preyed on us - but now we know:

The Phantom of the Opera is there deep down below . .   

Others: Who is this monster, this murdering beast?

Revenge for Piangi! Revenge for Buquet!

This creature must never go free . . .  

( He addresses RAOUL as he jerks the lever which raise the portcullis.)  

PHANTOM

Take her - forget me - forget all of this . . . Leave me alone - forget all you've seen . . .

Go now - don't let them find you! Take the boat -swear to me, never to tell...

The secrets you know, of the angel in hell.. Go . . . 

(CUT to: the PHANTOM, RAOUL, and CHRISTINE) 

Go now - go now and leave me!  

(And he runs up into his bedroom. RAOUL and CHRISTINE move off towards the boat. [CUT to: inside of the PHANTOM’S bedroom at WIDESHOT] The musical box starts up magically, and The Phantom listens to it.)  

Masquerade . . . Paper faces on parade . . . Masquerade . . .  

(CUT to the PHANTOM at a lower angle)

Hide your face so the world will never find you . . .  

(At this point, CHRISTINE appears from right of screen in front of camera. CUT to inside from PHANTOM’s back at lower angle.  He turns and sees [CUT to CLOSE-UP of CHRISTINE.] CHRISTINE standing in the bedroom door. [CUT to CLOSE-UP of PHANTOM below from CHRISTINE’s POV). His look is of immense longing and helplessness. [CUT to WIDESHOT of CHRISTINE and PHANTOM seen at side view tilted to below right. She walks slowly towards him. She stands before him and we think she is going to stay but instead she takes off her ring and places it on his finger.)  

[CUT to CLOSE-UP of PHANTOM below from CHRISTINE’s POV) 

PHANTOM

Christine, I love you . . .  

(CUT to WIDESHOT of CHRISTINE leaving as we pull back and see the PHANTOM.) (She hurries out.) 

PHANTOM

Christine....I love you.  

(The PHANTOM stares at the ring on his finger. We stay on him as he HEARS:)  

PHANTOM (close to tears.)

I love you… I love you… 

CHRISTINE (In the distance, to RAOUL, as the boat pulls away.)

Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime . . . say the word  

CHRISTINE

and I will follow you . .  

PHANTOM (in a very tear-soaked voice)

I LOVE YOU!!  

RAOUL

Share each day with me . . .  

CHRISTINE

. . . each night . . .  

BOTH

. . . each morning . . . 

(Pull back to see the PHANTOM’S back at CLOSE-UP, then CUT to: FRONT CLOSE-UP of the PHANTOM.) 

PHANTOM (looking after CHRISTINE)

You alone can make my song take flight - it's over now, the music of the night . . .  

(Pull back to WIDESHOT and after finishing the high note on “night”, CUT between the mirrors getting smashed from the mirror’s POV and the PHANTOM’S POV.  Move camera up to show the approaching MOB. The PHANTOM smashes all the mirrors around the lair. He turns and sees the Mob with their torches approaching along the CANAL. [CUT to: shots of the PHANTOM seen in the shattered pieces of the mirrors] The PHANTOM walks slowly towards the throne and sits on it, gathering his cloak around him, surrounded by shattered images. [CUT to: WIDESHOT of the PHANTOM, then CUT to: WIDESHOT of the MOB] The MOB stops at the portcullis. [CUT to: MEG]  MEG dives down into the water and comes up the other side. The PHANTOM has entirely covered himself with the cloak. [From MEG’S POV] MEG crosses to the throne and, tentatively but courageously, pulls the cloak away revealing empty air. The PHANTOM has vanished, leaving only his white mask. [CUT to: CLOSE-UP of MEG seen from below] In wonder, MEG reaches out and touches the mask with her small hand. She looks at it, curious. We end on the mask. [CUT to: WIDESHOT of MASK and gradually zoom into CLOSE-UP of the MASK] We END on the MASK in the chair. The background fades darker [though still visible] except for the MASK. As the last “MOTN” note ends, we suddenly hear a pounding beat followed by the first notes of “POTO.” Start ENDING CREDITS.)  

END OF ACT TWO  

(END CREDITS MUSIC: Begin with abbreviated instrumental version of “The Phantom of the Opera” followed by instrumental portions of “Think of Me,” “Music of the Night,” “Masquerade,” “Wishing Somehow You Were Here Again,” and “PONR,” ending with the “He’s there/ beware: the Phantom of the Opera” segment of the title being played over, followed by its first six bars. 

END CREDITS:  Normal movie-credit font, over the mask.  Near the end of the credits, as we hear the Phantom bars being played again, we see a shadow fall over the mask.  A white gloved hand then reaches and grabs it.  The scene fades.)